August 23, 2025 | 08:08 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tempo English compiled the top 3 news on Saturday, August 23, 2025. Here are the highlights: UN Declares Famine in Gaza; Israel Disputes Findings; Komnas HAM Highlights Importance of Protecting Indonesians' Personal Data; and Aid Workers Accuse NGOs of 'Whitewashing' Israel's Gaza War.
The following is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today:
1. UN Declares Famine in Gaza; Israel Disputes Findings
The United Nations (UN) officially declared a famine crisis in Gaza on Friday, August 22, 2025, with experts estimating that over 500,000 people are facing catastrophic conditions. The UN’s declaration was immediately disputed by Israel.
According to a report by NDTV, UN Relief Chief Tom Fletcher stated that the famine could have been entirely prevented. He attributed the crisis to "systematic obstruction by Israel' that has prevented food from reaching the Palestinian territory.
In its most recent update on Friday, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) confirmed that famine has been present in Gaza since August 15, 2025, affecting approximately 20% of the Gaza Strip.
2. Komnas HAM Highlights Importance of Protecting Indonesians' Personal Data
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has urged the government to ensure the protection of Indonesian citizens' personal data in the trade agreement between Indonesia and the United States. Concerns about the leakage of Indonesians' personal data arise following the clause in the reciprocal trade agreement between Indonesia and the U.S., which stipulates Indonesia's obligation to transfer citizens' personal data to the U.S.
Komnas HAM Chair Anis Hidayah stated that the right to the protection of personal data is part of human rights that the government is responsible for respecting. Komnas HAM mentioned that the protection of personal data is already regulated in the Constitution, Law Number 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) ratified as Law Number 12 of 2005, and Law Number 27 of 2022 concerning Personal Data Protection.
3. Aid Workers Accuse NGOs of 'Whitewashing' Israel's Gaza War
For months, the aid worker felt a pervasive "sense of rage": Until the first half of 2025, she had worked in Jerusalem doing advocacy on the occupied Palestinian territories for a large aid organization with its headquarters in the United States.
During that time, she would routinely have to fight for weeks on end to get a single statement published. Leadership, she told DW, would insist on watering down the language, deeming words such as "occupation," "blockade" and "accountability" too problematic. She felt, she said, choosing her words carefully, "that I was part of whitewashing the situation in Gaza" — that she had essentially been "asked to lie."
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IIF Channels Rp42.5 Trillion into Indonesia's Strategic Infrastructure Projects
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PT Indonesia Infrastructure Finance (IIF) has disbursed Rp42.5 trillion for national strategic infrastructure projects.
Indonesia's 5% Economic Growth Becomes Reference for ASEAN, Says Minister
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Minister of Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto claimed that Indonesia's ability to maintain stable economic growth at 5 percent makes the country a reference point.
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns over Failed Push on Israel Sanctions
5 jam lalu
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp resigns due to his failed efforts to impose sanctions on Israel in support of Palestine.
Indonesian Govt Begins Sending Interactive Whiteboards to Schools Nationwide
6 jam lalu
Before distribution, the Ministry of Education asks schools to ensure infrastructure readiness, including electricity and internet connection.
Komnas HAM Highlights Importance of Protecting Indonesians' Personal Data
22 jam lalu
Komnas HAM emphasized the importance of the government's sovereignty to protect Indonesian citizens' personal data.
UN Declares Famine in Gaza; Israel Disputes Findings
22 jam lalu
The United Nations (UN) officially declared a famine crisis in Gaza on Friday, August 22, 2025.
Aid Workers Accuse NGOs of 'Whitewashing' Israel's Gaza War
23 jam lalu
Several international NGOs have limited their language and advocacy on the topic of Gaza, a DW investigation found.
Rafael Struick Joins Indonesia's U-23 Team for 2026 Asian Cup Qualifiers
23 jam lalu
Rafael Struick was not included in the list of Indonesian senior national team players for the FIFA Match Day in September 2025 against Kuwait and Lebanon.
Israeli PM Netanyahu Prepared to Resume Gaza Ceasefire Talks
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PM Netanyahu announced that Israel would resume negotiations to release hostages in Gaza and end the war, but only under certain conditions.
Today's Top 3 News: ICC Condemns U.S. Sanctions on Its Officials as Attack on Judicial Independence
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Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
